Show-rack



(Nb Model.) s Sheets-Sheet 1.

B. G. GASLER.

I 'SHOW RACK. No. 398,027. Patented Feb. 19, 1889.

N. PETERS, Plmloljthogmphnn Waxhingmn, D. C.

(No Model.)

3 Sheets--'Sheet 2V B.G.UASLEP SHOW RACK.

Patented Feb. "19, 1889.

u. PETERS. Pholu-Li'hngnphen Washinglon. 04 c,

3 Sheets-Shegt 3.

(No Model.) 4

B. G. GASLER.

SHOW RACK.

No. 398,027. Patented Feb. 19, 1889.

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UNTTED STATES PATENT @rrrcn.

BENJAMIN G. CASLER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

SHOW-=RACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 398,027, dated February19, 1889.

Application filed December 10, 1888- Serial No. 293,103. (No model.)

reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is aperspective view of devices embodying my invention. end view of thesame. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view of the main-frame clamp on theline 05 06, Fig. 1. Fig. lis a detail sectional view of theshelf-combining clamp on the line y y, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail anddetached Fig. 6 is a detail and detached view of one of the shelves.Fig. 7 is a detail view of modified form of hookbolt for connecting theshelf-rods. Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view of the crank of theupright.

Like symbols refer to like parts wherever they occur.

My invention relates to the construction of display-racks forshow-windows, and has for its object the production of a neat, strong,and efficient separable and convertible rack which can be set up ortaken down with facility, closely packed for storage or transportation,and when set up is calculated to display a great variety of merchandiseto the best advantage.

To this end the structure, broadly stated, consists of uprights, a mainframe pivoted and sliding on the uprights, and shelves attached to andpivoted 011 the main frame, all in such combination that any desiredinclination can be given to the main frame while the shelves remain in ahorizontal plane; or the frame may remain vertical and the shelves beinclined, or both frame and shelves maybe inclined, at the will of theuser.

There are minor features of invention pertaining to the specificconstruction of the various parts, as well as limited combinations ofthe elements composing the structure, all of which will hereinafter morefully appear.

My improved rack is best and most cheaply constructed from sections ofsmall pipe connected by threaded thimbles, elbows, and Ts,

Fig. 2 is a side or 1 as will be hereinafter specified; but I do notlimit the invention thereto, as bars, rods, or equivalent frame-work maybe used, if preferred, provided the principle of construction isretained.

I will now proceed to describe the invention more specifically, so thatothers skilled in the art to which it appertains may apply the same.

1 1 indicate foot pieces or steps for the verticals or uprights 2 2,which support the main frame. These foot-pieces may be threaded nuts,cups, or their equivalents, and are secured to the floor of theshow-window or to a suitable base-board, B, at the will of the user.

22 indicate verticals or uprights secured to or stepped in thefoot-pieces 1. 1, and for sake of extended movement and accurateadjustment the footpieces and uprights are preferably connected by theintermediate movable bend or cranks, 3, composed of two elbows, 4 4,connected with each other and with the foot-piece by short threadednipples. These verticals or uprights 2 2 support a shelfframe or mainframe, A, which is pivoted, as at a, on slides 5 5, movable on theuprights 2 2, and provided with thumb-screws or setscrews 18, by meansof which the slides may be fixed in any desired position, and thus holdthe shelf or main frame A.

For light or small racks, or racks which are to carry light loads, theframe may be composed of only the two side bars, 6 6, and these may bepipe-sections connected by the T- pieces 7 7, as the cross-rods of theshelves will sufficiently connect said bars 6 6 to insure stability ofthe frame; but for large racks I prefer to connect said side bars, 6 6,by crossbars 8 and 9, the upper of which, 8, may be joined to the endsof side bars, 6 6, by elbows 10, and the lower to said side bars, 6 6,by Ts 11, both upper and lower crossbar being made in sections connectedby right and left hand threaded sleeves (or turn-buckles) 12, for thepurposes of setting up and adjusting the frame. The side bars, 6 6, arepierced at suitable intervals, as at 13 13, for the passage of boltswhich are to connect the shelf-bars with the main or shelf frame.

14 14 indicate shelf-bars, which maybe small pipes or bars pierced atsuitable intervals, as at 15, for the passage of the bolts 16, whichconnect said shelf-bars with the side bars, 6. The shelf-bars 1e areconnected with and pivoted on the side bars, 6, of the main frame bybolts 16, provided with nuts 17, (thumb-nuts, if desired,) by means ofwhich the position of the shelf can be fixed after having been dulyadjusted.

1.) indicate cross-bars which connect the shelf-bars 11 1-1 of theopposite sides with each other, for which purpose bolts 20, providedwith nuts 21, are employed. These cross-bars In order that two shelvesmay be connected to the main-frame bars 6 at the same point and projecton opposite sides thereof-4t such an arrangement of shelves is deemeddesirable-I provide a clamp, (or pivot-section,) C, composed of twoplates or side pieces, 2t 24:, pivoted on the frame-bars ('3 by means ofbolts 25, having nuts 26, and between which the ends of slmlf-bars 11may be clamped by through-bolts 27, having nuts 28.

In such arrangement of shelves as last described, or in any arrangementwhere the shelf'bars 11 1 1 are pivoted at or near one end to themain-frame bars 6, the leverage of the load will usually be so great incase of heavy goods as to cause the shelf to unless supported, and tomeet such emergencies I provide chains 2.), secured to the main frame 66 at or near its top, as indicated at 30, and pins 31 at or near theends of shelf-bars 1414-, whereby the shelves can beset and supportedlevel or at any inclination considered best to show the particular goodsto be displayed.

The foot of the main frame 6 6 rests upon the floor of the window, andfor securing or steadying the same pegs or stops 32, or equivalentdevices, maybe employed, and are preferably of a detachable oradjustable character, as they will require to be differently placed forvarious inclinations of mainframe bars U U. \Yhere pipe used for themainframe bars 0 6 and thelower ends of the bars U U are left open, Ihave found that nails driven in the floorof the window answer very wellas stops for the lower ends of mainframe bars (3.

The rack, being constructed substantially as hereinbefore specified, isset up and adjusted as follows: The foot-pieces 1 1 are secured to thefloor of the window or suitable base-board, B, at a suitaljilc distanceapart. The verticals or uprights 2 are then passed through the slides 55, which are pivoted to main-frame bars 6 6, and the lower ends of saiduprights 5 are screwed into the bends or cranks 3, which have beenpreviously screwed i into the foot-pieces 1 1, after which theinelination of the bars 6 6 and the height of slides 5 5 are properlyadjusted and the slides fixed to the upright by means of the set-screws18 of slides 5, the lower ends of the frame-bars 6 6 having in themeantime been secured by means of pegs or stops 32, which have beenfixed to the floor of the window such distance in advance of thefoot-pieces 1 1 as the height of slides 5 5 and the inclination of sidebars, 6 6, of the main frame demand. After the uprights and main framehave been properly set and secured, the shelf-bars l-l 11- are securedto the main bars 6 G by means of bolts 16, and after being properlyadjusted thenuts 17 are screwed home to clamp the shelf-bar to themain-frame bar.

Accordingly as it is desirable to have the shelf project on both sidesof the main frame,

as the middle shelf is shown, or on one side of the main frame, asthelower shelf is shown, will the bolts 16 be passed through the holesat the middle or near the end of the shelf-bar 1i; and when two shelvesare to occupy the same plane, but on opposite sides of the mainframebars 6 6, the combining-clamp C may be secured to the frame-bars (5 andthe ends of shelf-bars 14: 11 secured thereto, the shelves beingsupported by chains 2.), as hereinbefore pointed out.

It will be evident that owing to the sepa a ble and convertiblecharacter of the structure the rack may be given a very great variety offorms or changes in arrangement, which will adapt it for displayinghats, caps, boots, shoes, and gents furnishinggoods, as well as a greatvariety of other merchandise, to the best advantage.

Having thus described the nature and ad vantages of my invention, what Iclaim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a show-rack, the combination of two vertically-pivoted uprights, 22, each having a bend or crank, 3, slides 5 5, arranged 011 saiduprights, and a main frame, A, pivoted on said slides 5 5, substamviallyas and for the purposes specified.

2. In a show-rack, the combinatiim of two vcrtically-pivoted uprights, 22, each provided with a bend or crank, 3, slides 5 5, and main frame A,pivoted on said slides, said main frame having the ad 3' ustablecross-bars 8 and 9, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. In a show-rack, the combination, with pivoted adjustable uprights, ofa main frame pivoted thereon, said. main frame having side bars, 6 6,cross-bars S and 9, which connect the side bars, and turn-buckles 12,for adj usting the crossbar, suljistantiall y as and for the purposesspecified.

+1. In a show-rack, the combination of two vertically-pivoted uprights,2 2, each provided with a crank or bond, 3, slides 5 5, arranged on saiduprights, side bars, 6 6, pivoted on the slides, adjustable cross-bars 8and 9, which connect the side bars, and shelf-bars 14. 1%,

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses,this 6th day ofDe- IO cember, 1888.

BENJAMIN G. GA SLER.

Witnesses:

J. A. OSBORN,

WM. M. MONROE.

